Apparatus for forming, folding, and banding paper strips



A. A. MASSINI Feb. 18, 1936.

APPARATUS FOR FORMING, FOLDING, AND BANDING PAPER STRIPS Filed Sept. 17,1954 7 Sheets-Sheet l 1 NVENTOR.

flan/fit zw-my ATTORNEY.

A. A. MASSINI Feb. is, 1936.

APPARATUS FOR FORMING, FOLDING, AND BANDING PAPER STRIPS Filed Sept. 17,1934 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 I fi ENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Feb. 18, 1936. A A s I 2,031,053

AiPARA'IfUS FOR FORMING, FOLDING, AND BANDING PAPER STRIPS .Filed Sept.17, 1954 7 Shets -Slieet s l. H I l Feb. 18, 1936. A. A. MASSINI2,031,053

APPARATUS FOR FORMING, FOLDING, AND BANDING PAPER STRIPS Filed Sept.1'7, 1934-. 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTUR.

Feb. 18, 1936. A. A. MASSINI APPARATUS FOR FORMING, FOLDING, AND BANDINGPAPER STRIPS 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 17, 1934 60 T15 WJJM ATTORNEY.

Feb. 18, 1936. A. A. MASSINI 2,031,053

APPARATUS FOR FORMING, FOLDING, AND BANDING PAPER STRIPS Filed Sept.'17, 1954 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 18, 1936UNITED STATES PATE NT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR FORMING, FOLDING, AND

BANDING PAPER STRIPS 36 Claims.

rality of printed rectangularly shaped strips of comparatively heavygauge paper are individu-' ally and removably mounted by one end upon a.backing board, said strips having the opposite,

10 or free, end thereof folded about itself and secured in foldedrelation by a transverse gummed retaining band. Printed on the innersurface of the folded portion of the strip and invisible to the eye byreason of the fold is information of interest pertaining to the game.Upon participating in the game, a player pulls one of the strips fromthe board, ruptures the paper banding seal, and unfolds the end of thestrip to reveal the previously hidden printed information which inacforms the player of matter having to do with the fin'ther progress ofthe game.

It is the primary purpose of the present invention to provide anautomatic machine whereby such printed strips of paper are properlyformed 25 and folded to render the printed indicia invisible to the eyeand, additionally, to provide in said machine means for sealing theindividual strips in folded condition preparatory to mounting the sameupon an appropriate backing board.

30 The full nature of the invention and other features thereof will beunderstood from the accompanying drawings and the followingdescription.-

In said drawings- Figure 1 is a front elevation of the machine;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same;

Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the same;

Figure 4 is an end view of the machine with parts thereof omitted toclearly disclose the folding mechanism;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a paper blank prior to folding andbanding;

Figure 6 is the paper blank in its final folded and-banded condition;

Figure 7 is a schematic view illustrating in detail the foldingmechanism;

Figure 8 is'an enlarged end elevation, partly in section, of a portionof the folding mechanism;

Figure 9 is a section taken on line 9-9, Fig. 8;

Figure 10 is a detail view in top plan of the fingers and reciprocatingfeeding slide which removes the folded ticket from the folding mechanismand presents the same to the banding mechanism; P

Figure 11 is a side elevation of the revolving Gil - banding 'head,parts thereof being purposely omitted to disclose the principalelements:

Figure 12 is a detail front view of a bandin head, the banding rollersbeing shown in nonoperative position; a

Figure 13 is a section taken on line l3-l8, Fig. 11; P

. Figure 14 is a partial rear view of a banding head depicting the rackand gear mechanism for operating the banding arms; I 10 Figure 15 is anenlarged vertical sectional view of a portion of the female dieplateillustrating the blank stripping angle; v 1

Figure 16 is a detail view in side elevation ofthe banding paperfeeding, shearing and carry- 15 mg mechanism for the severed band.

Figure 17 is an end view of the same; and

Fig. 18 is an enlarged detail view of the mechanism for momentarilyinterrupting the forward travel of the reciprocating channel. 20

Referring to said drawings, the reference numeral l designates the bedplate of the machine which latter is provided with legs 2 and carries aframework 3 designed to support the mechanism. Extending longitudinallyis a frontdrive shaft 4, suitably joumaled in appropriate bearingsprovided in the frame 3, said shaft being adapted to be driven by anysuitable means, as. the pulley wheel Ill. Carried by said shaft 4 is aspur gear 5 meshing with a second spur gear 6 carried by a. rearlongitudinal drive shaft 1 rotatably mounted in appropriate bearingspro-. vided in the frame, the latter shaft being adapted to rotate withthe front shaft v4. As shown in Fig. 1, the back shaft 1 has a lengthapproximating the length of the bed plate I, while the front shaft 4 hasa length somewhat less, the latter terminating at a point revealed bythe collar 8. Mounted upon the frame 3 is a flat table 26, on whichtable is supported a forwardly inclined 40 hopper 9 in which thepreviously printed blanks l0 are received in'face to back relation.Pivotally connected finger weights II are provided at the lower end ofthe hopper to maintain the blanks in uniform aligned relation. Aplurality of small studs l2 are provided about the mouth of the hopperso as to prevent accidental discharge of the blanks from the hopper. Afeed block l3 carried by a lever l4 pivotally attached to the frame, asshown at I5, is adapted to be presented and withdrawn from the mouth ofthe hopper by movement of the lever l4 about its pivot I5. Alongitudinal shaft l6, suitably journaled within bearings I1, isdesigned to be rotated by means of the bev ears I8, connect- 56 ingshaft l9 and bevel gears 20. A cam 2| carried by the shaft |6 engages aroller 'on the end of the lever l4 imparting operative movement to thefeed block I3. The feed block |3 isconnected to a vacuum line '22 havingconnection with an operating valve 23 connected by a supply line 24 to avacuum tank 25, the detailed operation of the operating valve 23 beinghereinafter described. Depression of the free end of the lever l4 bymeans of the cam 2| swings the feed block in the arc of a circle so thatthe same will be presented in contacting relation with the exposed blankin the mouth of the hopper. At this point vacuum is applied to the feedblock so that the blank adheres to the face of the block and is removedfrom the hopper against the retaining force of the finger weights II andstuds I2. Immediately following removal of the blank, the cam 2| isbrought out of depressing relation with the lever 4 so that the feedblock falls by gravity to the position shown in the drawings in whichposition the blank is deposited in a horizontal plane on the upper faceof the table 26, and the vacuum force is cut ofi by operation of thevalve 23.

Slidably mounted in spaced parallel guides 21, fixed to the uppersurface of the table 26 is a rectangularly shaped pusher plate 28designed to be reciprocated back and forth across the top of the tableby means of the link 29, lever 38 and cam 3|, said cam being carried bythe shaft 6, and being maintained in permanent contacting relation withthe lever 39 by means of the retractile coil spring 31. Followingdepositing of the blank on the table 26, as above described, the pusherplate is brought into timed operation so as to advance the depositedblank forward to a position in vertical alignment with the forming die,accurate positioning being accomplished by means of the limit stops 35.

Extending upwardly from the table 26 is a pair of spaced guide pins 32on which is vertically slidable a crosshead 33 carrying a removable maledie plunger 34. The female portion of the die consists of two plates 36defining an opening to receive the die plunger 34 and registering withan opening provided in the table 26. Journaled in bearings 38 on theunderside of the table 26 is a short longitudinal rocker shaft 39.Carried in fixed relation by said shaft 39 on the inner end thereof is arocker arm 40, the free, or rear, end of which carries a rollercontacting a cam 4| mounted on the shaft IS, the opposite, or front, endof the rocker arm being connected to the crosshead by means of a link42. The opposite side of the crosshead 33 is connected to the rockershaft 39 by a vertical link 43 and a horizontal link 44. Thus, rotationof the cam 4| functions to depress the male die, the depressing forcebeing uniformly borne by each side: of the crosshead by means of theabove described mechanism.

Depression of the male die is accomplished.

against the force of a pair of compression springs 45 encircling theguide pins 32 and interposed between the crosshead 33 and table 26, theupward force of said springs being transmitted to the rocker arm 48 soas to maintain the latter at all times in cam-contacting relation.

In the downstroke of the male die 34, the previously positioned blank I8is engaged and is forced downward through the opening in the female die36 so that the blank in the confines of the female die 36 is made toconform with the shape of the male die 34. In other words, the blank isgiven a substantially U-shape, one verao anosa I tical portion exceedingthe length of that of the other, the shorter vertical portion having alength not to exceed the length of the bottom,

or horizontal, portion, and the last two men- 49 and it is these fiatsurfaces of the wheel which specifically serve as a bottom for the die,as above referred to.

Journaled in bearings 50 supported on the bed plate I is a transverseshaft 5| designed to be rotated by means of a spiral gear 52 meshingwith a similar spiral gear (not shown) carried by the drive shaft I.Carried by the forward end of the shaft 5| is a cam 53 operating on arocker arm 54 pivoted intermediate its ends to the frame 3. A rack 55 isslidably received within the bearingplate 46 and is connected to theupper end of the rocker arm 54, operation of the rocker arm 54 againstthe tension of the spring 56 imparting horizontal movement to the rack55. A small transverse shaft 51 is journaled in bearings on theunderside of the table 26 and carries on its forward end a pinion 58meshing with the teeth of the rack 55. The opposite end of the shaft 51has fixed thereto a folding tongue 59. As the male die 34 commences itsrecession from the female die 36, the cam 53 is so timed in its rotationas to operate the rocker arm 54 thereby to impart horizontal movement tothe rack 55. Such movement of the rack rotates the pinion 58 and itsshaft 51 so that a like rotation is imparted to the tongue 59 in whichrotation the tongue 59 encounters the short vertical portion of theblank and in its continued rotation presses said portion" from avertical to a horizontal plane to overlie the bottom portion of theblank thereby folding inwardly a portion of the printed matter so thatthe printed matter borne solely by the short vertical portion and thehorizontal portion is placed in confronting face-to-face obscuredrelation. Rotation of the folding tongue 59 is limited to a movementapproximating 90 and is maintained in folding relation with the blankuntil such time as the blank is removed from registering relation withthe forming die. At this point, it may be stated that one side wall ofthe forming die is offset to form a sharp angle 60, the angle engagingthe longer vertical portion of the blank so as to strip the blankfrom'the male die 34 when the latter recedes.

Additional means for assisting in stripping the blank from the die isafforded by vacuum force, said force being applied to the under surfaceof the horizontal portion of the formed blank through passageways 2provided in the feed wheel 48. One passageway H2 is provided for Theformed blank is removed from the die mechanism and is further folded bythe following described mechanism: A ratchet 6| is carried by the shaft41 exteriorly of the bearing plate 48 having associated therewith a pawl62 operated by a connecting rod 63 associated with an eccentric 64 fixedto the outer end of the transverse shaft 5|. The ratchet 6! has teeth ina number corresponding with the number of plane surfaces 48 in the feedwheel 48. In the upward throw of the eccentric 64 the pawl 62 engagesthe ratchet 6| thereby imparting an intermittent counterclockwiserotative movement to the shaft 47 and the thereby carried feed wheel 48.In such rotary movement of the feed wheel 48 the abrupt shoulderterminating the plane surface 49 underlying the die engages the creasededge of the already folded portion of the blank and the partially formedblank is forced into the intervening space between the feed wheel 48 andthe seg mental chute or guide 65 which houses a port-ion of the feedwheel thereby forcing the longer vertlcal portion of the blank to bepressed down- Wardly substantially in the arc of a circle, the upperterminal of said portion being the last to enter the guide, and saidlonger portion abutting the guide 65 in its travel. Intermittent rotarymovement is thus imparted to the feed wheel 48 so that as eachsuccessive blank is further folded it is introduced in and received bythe guide 65, the formed and folded blanks being moved through the guide65 by the shoulders of the fiat surfaces 49 engaging the first foldededge of the blank. As shown in Figs. '7 and 9 of the drawings, theblanks are delivered outwardly of the guide 65 at the lower end thereofand at a point approximately 180 from the entrance, being discharged onthe underside of the feed wheel.

Located on the underside of the plate 68 of the frame 3 are spacedparallel guides 61 defining a slot in the plate 86 in which slot isreceived a sliding channel 68 hav ng on the underside thereof adepending lug 68 which is connected to a link 18 and a pivoted lever IIwhich, in turn, is connected by a connectfng rod to an eccentric T2fixed on the shaft 5!. Obviously, with the above described mechanism arec procating movement is imparted to the channel 68 upon rotation ofthe transverse shaft 5|. The sliding channel is provided with vacuumopenings 74 communicating with the vacuum line 15 leading to theoperating valve 23. The sliding channel 68 has a width exceeding thewidth of the feed wheel 48 and receives the feed wheel 48 intermediatethe vertical side walls thereof. The inner end of the sliding channel 68has formed thereon an integral projecting tongue 16 and providedadjacent said end are two gripping fingers 51, each of which consistssimply of a spring having one end thereof fastened to the channel 68 andis reversely curved so that the free end thereof is in pressurecontacting relation with the face of the channel at the innertermination of the channel.

As a folded blank is discharged from the guide 65 it is deposited withinthe channel 68 underlying the feed wheel 48 at which time the operatingmechanism is so synchronized that the channel 68 is slidably retractedto blank gripping position, the gripping fingers being suflicientlyflexible to override the folded end portion of the blank. At the limitof the retracting stroke of the channel 68, the direction of travel ofsaid channel is reversed and the channel is then moved forwardly, atwhich time vacuum is applied through the ports 14 and the blank,consequently, adheres to the channel. The folded portion, or forwardend,

of the blank occupies underlying relation with respect to said fingers11 which latter serve to temporarily retain the blank in its foldedrelation and, additionally, assists in withdrawing the blank from thefeed wheel.

The channel 88 upon being moved to its innermost position is momentarilymaintained stationary by the action of the specific construction of thetelescoping link 18, shown in Figs. 1 and 18. The upper end of thelever, H has formed thereon a sliding collar I8 embracing the link 18and being maintained on the link by means of a nut 88 threaded on theend of the link. Interpcse'd between the collar 18 and the shoulderprovided on the link 18 is a compression spring 19, the purpose of whichis to normally maintain the collar 18 in contacting relation with theretaining nut 88. The link I8 is provided with a threaded extention 8|having a head 82 formed on the forward end thereof and adapted duringoperation to abut a limit stop 83 fastened to the frame 3. In operationforward movement of the sliding channel 68 is accomplished, as abovedescrimd, by the like forward movement imparted to the link 10 by thelever H and eccentric 12. Said channel 68 is moved forwardly until suchtme as the head 82 abuts the limit stop 83, at which, time forwardmovement of the channel and thereby carried blank ceases and theprojecting tongue 16 of the same is momentarily held in stationaryadvanced position directly beneath a banding head 86, which will laterbe described. However, the collar 18 continues to move forwardly intelescoping relation with respect to the link 18 against the tension ofthe spring 19, this specific mechanism being provided so thatuninterrupted operation of the various elements may be continued whilethe sliding 85 is enlarged to form an integral annular flange 81, asshown in Fig. 11, and supports a Geneva gear 88 which is bolted to a hub89 encircling the standard 98, the latter being formed integral with,

the pedestal 85. The upper end of the Geneva hub 89 is provided with anannular flange 9| and has bolted thereto a rotatable circular plate 92,to the upper face of which is bolted a stationary vacuum ring 93, thelatter also encircling the standard 90, the circular plate 82 beingintermittently rotated by the Geneva gear 88, as will later bedescribed.

Prov ded on the upper face of the circular plate 92 adjacent theperiphery thereof are a plurality of upwardly extending guide pins 94,between each two ad acent pins is received a banding head housing 95which carries a bandng head 86 of inverted T-shape whose upper shankportion 91 is slidably receive-d within "a vertical extending channel 98provided in the face of the housing and extending throughout the heighth98 by a plate I01 bolted to the face of the housing.

A compression spring I08 is located in said channel and is interposedbetween the upper end of the shank 91 and a plate I09 fastened to thetop of the housing and serving as a top closure for the upper end of thechannel. A roller H is attached to the rear of the housing adjacent thetop for a purpose to be later explained.

Provided in the bottom of the banding head 96 are two spaced recesses 99in which are received a pair of banding rollers I00 carried on the lowerend of banding arms I Hi I the upper ends of said banding arms beingfixed to short shafts I02 extending through the housing and carrying ontheir inner ends pinions I03, the teeth of which mesh with the teeth ofa vertically movable rack I04 formed integral with a stem I05 extendingdownwardly through the plate 92, the lower extremity of the stem I05carrying a roller I06. The bottom of the banding rollers I00 ininoperative position are located in aligned relation with the lowermostface of the banding head 96.

As shown in Fig. 11, the banding head housing 95 has an offset orrecessed concavity at its front lower end and the banding head 96occupies a depending position in said concavity, the banding arms IOIbeing suspended intermediate the banding head 96 and housing 95, therollers I00 extending forwardly from said arms IOI so as to be receivedwithin the two recesses 99 of the head.

The banding strip 84, having the under side thereof provided with gummedadhesive is severed from a length of paper I I4 furnished to the machinefrom a spool supported on the bed plate I at the rear of the machine.Paper from the spool is presented to the shearing mechanism by a feederpermanently mounted on a base plate I I 5 suitably supported by theframe 3. As shown in detail in Figs. 16 and 17, a feeder block I16 ispermanently attached to the base plate H5 and has a slot II'I extendingthroughout its length at the top thereof. Slidable in said slot II! is afeeder jaw I I8 having a downwardly extending lugI I9. Pivotallyattached to said lug is one end of a short connecting link I20, theopposite end of said link being connected to a rocker shaft I 2 I theopposite ends of the shaft being journaled in bearings provided on thelower ends of upwardly projecting spaced arms I22. Said arms I22 aresupported by and slidable on spaced parallel rods I23 whose oppositeends are received in and supported by the feeder block H6. The oppositeends of the rocker shaft I2I are provided with crank arms I24 pivotallyconnected to the upper ends of levers I25, the lower end of said leversI25 being provided with rollers adapted to contact cams I26 carried bythe shaft I, and being supported intermediate its ends by a stationaryshaft I21, which latter is carried by the frame 3.

Carried by the upper ends of the arms I22 at a spaced distance above thefeeder block H6 is a plate I28 having formed integrally therewith on theunder side thereof a downwardly extending rib I29 overlying the feedingjaw I I8 and adapted to cooperate therewith as will later be explained.

Spaced parallel paper guides I30 are provided along the top of thefeeder block II6 adjacent the sides thereof, and located intermediatethe guides I30 and the opposite sides of the feeder jaw H8 are paperdepressing plates I3I, the rear end of said plates I3I being connectedby a cross bar I32 whose opposite ends rest upon the guides I30 and areapertured to embrace studs I33 projecting from the feeder block II6.

Spring pressed shoes I34 provided intermediate the paper depressingplates I3I and the top plate I 28 are adapted to maintain saiddepressing plates I3I in permanent contacting relation with the paperH4.

The length of gummed paper I I4 is supplied to the shears I35 by theabove described mechanism as follows: Paper H4 is supplied from thespool to the feeder head II6 where it occupies a position overlying thejaw IIO; underlying the rib I29 and intermediate the guides I30.Rotation of the cam I26 acting on the lever I25 imparts counterclockwise motion to the crank arms I24, shaft I2I and thereby carriedlink I20. Such movement initially elevates the jaw II8 so that theserrated upper face thereof grips the under, or gummed, surface of thepaper H4, and continued forward movement of the upper end of the leverI25 imparts a like forward movement throughout a predetermined distanceto the entire gripping and feeding mechanism carried by the slidablesupporting arms I22 to position the required length of paper to theshears for cutting. Following such advance movement, the direction ofthe travel of the lever I25 is reversed, the gripping jaw II8 beingthereby disengaged from the paper and the feeding mechanism beingretracted, the paper II 4 being maintained in stationary advancedposition by the depressing paper contacting plates I 3|.

Provided on the forward end of the feeder block I I 6 are a pair ofspaced upwardly extending posts I35 serving as guides for a verticallyreciprocable shear block I36 adapted to be lowered by means of the linkand lever mechanism I 31 acted upon by the cam I38 carried by the shaftI and elevated by the retractile springs I39; A cutter blade I40 iscarried by the shear block I36 while a cooperating stationary cutterblade MI is mounted on the forward end of the feeder block II6.

Slidable in channel guides I42 on the under side of the base plate H5 isa carrier plate I43 having a hollow upwardly extending standard I44located on its forward end. A vacuum line I45 has one end connected tothe standard I44 and the opposite end connected to the valve 23.

Forward and rearward reciprocation is imparted to the carrier plate I43by means of a link and lever mechanism I46 acted upon by a cam I4!carried by the shaft 1, the lower end of the lever being pivotallyconnected to the bed plate I and the link being connected to the plateI43 by a the feeding mechanism is retracted, as hereinbe fore described,and the shear housing I36 and. thereby carried blade I40 is lowered tosever from the paper a banding strip 84, which strip is then supportedon the upper end of the standard I44. Vacuum is then applied to thestandard I44 through the line I45 so as to retain the band thereon. Atthis point the shear is elevated to inoperative position by the springsI39, and immediately thereafter the standard I44 carrying the strip 84is moved forwardly to a position where it directly underlies one of thebanding heads 96 mounted on the intermittently rotatable plate 92.

Vacuum to the standard I44 is then released and vacuum is insteadapplied to the overlying banding head 96 through a line I49 connectingwith the rotating vacuum ring I50 attached to the intermittentlyrotatable plate 92 and encircling the stationary vacuum ring 93.

The rotating vacuum ring I50 is provided with a plurality of radiallydisposed vacuum ports I5I in a number equal to the number of bandinghead units carried by the rotatable plate 92, the inner ends of saidports I5I terminating-at the meeting point with the stationary vacuumring 93 and the outer ends thereof being connected to a line I49 leadingto each banding head unit.

The inner, or stationary vacuum ring 93 is fixed in non-rotatablerelation and is provided with a single isolated port I52 whose solefunction is to supply vacuum to that particular banding head unit of theseries which, in the progressive operation of the machine, is due toreceive a severed banding strip 84 prior to the banding operation. Theport I52 is supplied with vacuum through the line I53 leading to thevacuum control valve 23 so that vacuum is applied to the banding headonly at predetermined intervals, as when'a banding strip 84 is to betransferred from the carrier standard I44 to a banding head. As isobvious, during transfer of the strip 84 the isolated port I52 of thestationary ring is in registering communicating relation with the portI5I of the rotatable ring I50 leading to the vacuum passageway I56provided interiorly of the banding head 96 and shank 91 of the specificbanding unit which is to receive the strip. Of necessity, the gummedbanding strip 84 must be held in ad'- hering relation to the under sideof the banding head 96 during progressive intermittent rotation of theplate 92 from the station at which transfer of the strip is effecteduntil the banding station is reached which approximates a 90 rotation ofthe plate 92. This is accomplished by providing in the stationary ring93 a segmental vacuum recess I54 throughout 90 of the extent of saidring. Vacuum is continuously furnished to the recess I54 by a line I55having direct connection with the vacuum tank 25. Manifestly, as theports I5 I, connecting with the passageway I56 of each banding headunit, are in communicating relation with said recess, vacuum is appliedto each aifected banding head to retain the strip 84' in position.

Intermediate the strip transferring station and the banding station, thegummed adhesive provided on the under side of the strip 64 is moistenedby a wick I51 carried by a vertically reciprocable stem I58 supported onthe frame 3 and actuated by a cam I59 carried by the shaft 1. Operationof the cam I59 is such that the wick I51 is elevated to contact andmoisten the adhesive of the band in predetermined timed relation to theintermittent rotation of the plate 92.

Following moistening of the adhesive, the head and thereby carried strip84 is intermittently and progressively advanced by rotation of the plate92 to the banding station, which station is in alignment with the blankpositioning channel 68 of the blank feeding mechanism. As previouslyexplained, the blank positioning channel 68 carrying the formed andfolded blank I is advanced and momentarily held stationary in suchadvanced position (by mechanism previously explained in detail) so thatthe folded portion of the blank I0 is positioned directly beneath abanding head 96 and previously moistened strip 84 carried thereby, thefolded end portion of the blank in being supported in underlyingrelation by the forwardly projecting tongue 16 of the channel 68.Permanently fixed on the standard 90 adjacent the upper end thereof isan upper cam race I60,

circular in top plan, whose front portion, or approximately 180", has aplane surface parallel with the upper face of the lower cam race 86, therear portion, or remaining 180, of the upper cam race I60 being convexlycurved.

Supported in fixed position on the upper end of the standard 90 at aspaced distance above the upper cam race I60 is the head of a T-shapedsupporting plate I 6|, the rearwardly extending blade thereof beingsupported by the shear guide posts I35.

Journaled in bearings I62 located on the plate I6I is a rocker shaftI63, the'front end of said shaft having mounted thereon a walking beam I64 and the rear end having fixed thereto one end of a rocker arm I65,the opposite end being pivotally connected to a depending link I66adapted to have reciprocable movement imparted thereto by a cam I61mounted on a transverse shaft I68, said shaft being driven by the frontshaft 4 through spiral gears I69.

Bearings I are provided on the opposite ends of the head of the T-shapedsupporting plate IN and are adapted to receive therein plungerpins I'lland I12 depending from the opposite ends of the walking beam I64.

Simultaneously with the advancement of the blank positioning channel 66beneath the banding head unit bearing the strip 84 to be applied to theblank I0, the walking beam I 64 is oscillated in such manner as toforcibly move the plunger pin I1I downwardly through its bearing I10 sothat the lower end of said pin strikes the roller I I0 of the bandingheag, unit thereby forcing the entire unit downwardly against thetension of the supporting spring I13 to position the thereby bornebanding strip 84 in overlying contacting relation with the previouslypositioned folded portion of the blank I0, said blank being locatedmidway between the opposite ends of the banding strip, as illustrated inFig 12. In such position, the banding head 95 and its shank 91 isimmovably supported on the tongue 16 of the channel 68, and thereaftercontinued downward movement of the unit is confined to the housing 95,arms IOI and stem I05, the shank 91 telescoping within the channel 98 ofthe housing 95 against the tension of the spring I08, as shown in Fig.11. Such continued downward movement of said elements results in thebanding rollers I00 being brought out of housing relation within therecesses 99 and, as a consequence, the

1 opposite ends of the banding strip 84 are turned downwardly at rightangles to the horizontal portion overlying the fold of the blank I0.

Depression of the above elements is also resisted by a plunger post I14slidably mounted in an appropriate supporting member I attached to thebed plate I, said post I14 being normally supported in elevated positionby a retractile coil spring I16 having one end thereof attached to a pinprojecting from the post and the opposite end attached to the frame 3,

When the banding rollers I00 are lowered to a point below the level ofthe blank I0, said rollers I00 are thereby rendered free andnon-confined and, as a result, the force exerted on the spring I16through depression of the post I14 is released, causing the spring toinstantly retract and suddenly force upwardly the post I14 and therebysupported stem I05. Upward movement of the charge station, respectively.

stem I05 results in like movement being imparted to the integral rackI04 which acts to rotate the pinions I03 thereby swinging the arms IOIand thereby carried rollers I00 toward each other, causing the dependingfree ends of the strip 84 to be brought inwardly and upwardly intounderlying, adhering banding relation with the folded portion of theblank, this operation. completing the placing of an encircling annularband about the folded portion of the blank. The banding strip 84 is ofsuch length that the opposite ends thereof terminate at each side of theblank supporting tongue I6 so that the latter is not included within theembrace of the banding strip.

Following completion of the banding operation, the channel 68 and itstongue I6 is retracted, to receive another blank I0, and the plate 92and thereby carried banding units are rotated a predetermined distanceby the Geneva 88. In such rotation, the rollers I I0 and I06 are broughtinto contacting relation with the confronting faces of the upper andlower cam races I60 and 86, respectively, as partially shown in Fig. 1,this being responsible for maintaining the banding head elements inbanding position wherein the rollers I00 occupy underlying relation tothe opposite ends of the banding strip 84.

The banding head elements are maintained in the above described positionthroughout approximately 180 of rotation of the plate 92, thispermitting suflicient time to elapse to permit drying of the adhesive ofthe banding strip 84. Upon reaching a point diametrically opposite tothe banding station the banding head unit is subjected to ejectingapparatus for releasing the banded blank from the banding head unit.This apparatus consists of a yoke I" carried on the lower end of the pin"2 of the walking beam I64 and adapted to engage the upper roller IIO. Asomewhat similar yoke H8 is carried by one end of a lever I'I9 pivotedintermediate its ends to the frame 3 and has its opposite end providedwith a roller I adapted to engage a cam I8l carried by the transverseshaft I68. As said banding unit reaches the ejecting station, the lowerroller I06 is engaged by the yoke I18, which yoke is moved downwardly bymeans of the lever I19 and cam I8I to bring the stem I05 and rack I04downward for returning the banding arms IM to retracted position wherebythe blank I0 is freed and unsupported, falling from the banding unit toa revolving table I82.

Immediately following discharge of the blank, as aforesaid, the yokeI'I'I engages the upper roller H0 and the end of the walking beam I64carrying the pin H2 is elevated, this elevation returning all of thebanding elements upwardly on their guides 94 to inoperative retractedposition, as the latter are shown in Fig. 12 and at the right in Fig.11.

As previously stated, the lower cam race 86 is semi-circular in top planhaving its terminal ends located at the banding station and dis- As thebanding unit, due to continued rotation of the plate 92, leaves thedischarge station, the lower roller I06 is unsupported and the upperroller IIO engages the convexly curved portion of the upper cam race I80so that the banding head unit as a whole is lowered so as to be inposition to receive a severed banding strip 84 from the shears, asaforesaid.

Intermittent rotary movement is imparted to the plate 92 supporting thebanding units by the Geneva gear 88 adapted to be intermittently enupperend of the pedestal 85.

gaged by a. Geneva crank I82 carried by the upper end of a verticalshaft I83 suitably jcurnaled in a bearing I84 attached to and supportedby the Said shaft I83 is driven by a thereby carried spiral gear I85meshing with a similar spiral gear I86 carried by the transverse shaftI68.

While a revolving table I82 has been shown in the drawings as beingadapted to receive the finished product of the machine, it will beunderstood that this mechanism forms no pertinent part of the inventioninasmuch as various forms of receptacles and conveyors may be utilizedto receive the finished product. For this reason, it is not thoughtnecessary to herein describe the actuating means for revolving the tableI82 or further refer to the same.

It will be understood that a blank I0 is formed with each completereciprocation of the die plunger 34 and that a fiat surface 49 of thefeed wheel 48 is successively advanced to underlying relation to theforming die with each reciprocation of said die. Furthermore, a foldedblank is presented to a banding head unit for banding with eachreciprocation of the blank-advanci" channel 68. v

As revealed by the drawings, the entire circular rotating plate 92 hasits entire circumferential extent provided with a plurality of bandinghead uits, the latter occupying side-to-side relation. Each individualunit is successively supplied with a gummed banding strip 84; receives afolded blank I0 to be banded when presented to the banding station;bands the same; retains the banded blank for a period of time sufficientto permit the adhesive to dry, and finally releases the finished productat the discharge station.

The operation of the machine is continuous and operates at high speed,it being possible to form, fold and band in excess of one hundred blanksper minute without undue strain and/or injury to the machine.

The various shafts and cams are manufactured and assembled withprecision so that all movements are synchronized to avoid anyinterruption of operation or improper functioning of the machine. Thevalve controlling the vacuum supply to a portion of the parts is amultiple valve and is operated by a cam I 81 carried by the transverseshaft I68 so that vacuum is supplied thereto only at predetermineddesired intervals.

While the invention more particularly is designed for the production ofbanded blanks for use with gaming boards, nevertheless it is equallyadapted for use in the production of banded blanks for other purposesand hence is not so limited.

What isclaimed is:

1. A strip feeding and folding machine of the character described,including a table having an opening therethrough, a strip receivinghopper above said table, means for removing a strip from said hopper anddepositing same upon the table, means for advancing a strip along saidtable and into position over said opening, a reciprocating die abovesaid table aligned with the opening and adapted for movementtherethrough, a feed wheel beneath said opening adapted to cooperatewith said die member to form said strip into substantially U-shape withone free end shorter than the other, means supported by the tablebeneath the latter for folding the short end of the strip into parallelrelation with the bight portion of same, a stationary guide membercooperating with the feed wheel for folding the long end of the stripinto parallel relation with the bight portion and the other end of thestrip, mechanism for securing the folded portion of the strip in foldedposition, a reciprocating channel member for advancing the folded blankto the securing mechanism, and power means for actuating all of saidmoving elements in timed sequence.

2. A strip feeding and folding machine of the character described,including a movable die member, a feed wheel cooperating with said diemember for forming a strip into substantially U-shape with one free endshorter than the other end, means between said die and wheel for foldingsaid short end of thestrip into parallel relation with the bight portionof the strip, and a channeled guide member cooperating with said wheelfor folding the other end of the strip into parallel relation with thepreviously folded portion of the strip, said last named end terminatinga predetermined distance beyond the folded portion of the strip toprovide a supporting tab.

3. A strip feeding and folding machine of the character described,including a movable die member, a feed wheel beneath and cooperatingwith said die member for forming a strip into substantially U-shape withone free end shorter than the other end, means between said die memberand wheel for folding said short end of the strip into parallel relationwith the bight portion thereof, and means for folding the other end ofthe strip into parallel relation with said previously folded portion ofthe strip.

4. A strip feeding and folding machine of the character described,including a movable die member, a feed wheel beneath and cooperatingwith said die member for forming a strip into substantially U-shape withone free end shorter than the other end, means between said die memberand wheel for folding said short end of the strip into parallel relationwith the bight portion thereof, means for folding the other end of thestrip into parallel relation with said previously folded portion of thestrip, and means for securing the folded portion of the strip in foldedposition.

5. A strip feeding and folding machine of the character described,including a movable die member, a feed wheel cooperating with said diemember for forming a strip into substantially U-shape with one free endshorter than the other end, means between said die and wheel for foldingsaid short end of the strip into parallel relation with the bightportion of the strip, and a stationary arcuate member cooperating withsaid wheel for folding the other end of the strip into parallel relationwith the previously folded portion of the strip, said last named endterminating a predetermined distance beyond the folded portion of thestrip to provide a supporting tab.

6. A strip feeding and folding machine of the character described,including a table having an opening therethrough, a substantiallyrectangular die member positioned above and aligned with the opening andadapted for movement through the latter, feed means beneath the openinghaving spaced plane surfaces cooperating with said die member forforming a strip into substantially U-shape with one free end of theU-shaped strip shorter than the other end thereof, means for foldingsaid short end of the strip parallel to the bight portion of the same,means cooperating with the feed means for folding the long end of thestrip into parallel relation with the bight portion and short end of thestrip, means for securing the folded portion of the strip in foldedposition, and means for advancing the folded strip from the feed meansto the securing means.

7. A strip feeding and folding machine of the character described,including a table having an opening therethrough, a die member alignedwith the opening and adapted for movement through the latter, means forpositioning a, strip over said opening and beneath the die member, meansbeneath the table and aligned with said opening and cooperating with thedie member for forming a strip into substantially U-shape, one of thewalls defining the opening being formed with an offset shoulder toengage one side of the strip for removing the latter from the movabledie member during one movement of the latter, and

means beneath the table for folding the sides of taneously actuating therollers to disposed said band about said folded blank.

9. A blank feeding and folding machine of the character described,including means forforming a blank into substantially U-shape, means forfolding the ends of the blank into parallel relation to the bightportion thereof, means for feeding a retaining band to a positionoverlying said folded blank and for folding the same about the latter,including a banding head, movable forming means carried by said head,means carried by said head for actuating the forming means for releasingsaid blank and band from the banding head.

10. A strip feeding and folding machine of'the character described,including a. table having an 3 opening there-through, a substantiallyrectangular die member aligned with the opening and adapted for movementthrough the latter, means beneath the table and cooperating with the diemember for forming said strip into substantially U-sha-pe, one of thewalls defining the opening being formed to frictionally remove theU-shaped strip from the movable die member during the receding movementof the latter, means beneath the table for folding the ends of the stripinto parallel relation with the bight portion of the latter, means tosecure the folded strip in its folded position, and means for advancingthe folded strip to the securing means.

11. A strip feeding and folding machine of the character described,including means for folding the strip, means for feeding the strip tosaid folding means. mechanism for securing the strip in folded position,means for feeding the folded strip to said securing mechanism, saidsecuring mechanism including a banding head, means associated with thehead for positioning a retaining band above said folded strip, means formoving the banding head and band into engagement with said folded strip,and means carried by said banding head for forming and moving said bandinto embracing relation with the folded strip.

12. In an apparatus of the character described, means for folding apredetermined portion of a rectangular strip upon itself, means forpermanently securing said folded portion in folded position, means fortransferring said strip from said folding means to said securing means,and means-including a revolving feed wheel for delivering said strip tosaid transferring means from said folding means.

13. In an apparatus of the character described,

moans for folding a predetermined portion of a strip upon itself, meansfor permanently securin said folded portion in folded position, meansfor transferring said strip from said ,fclding means to said securingmeans, means including a revolving feed wheel for delivering said stripto said transferring means from said folding means,

the reciprocation of said transfer means during the operation ofpermanently securing the folded portion of said strip.

15. A strip feeding and folding machine of the character describedincluding a table having an opening therethrough, a die memberpositioned above and aligned with the opening and adapted for movementthrough the latter, feed means beneath the opening having spacedplanesurfaces cooperating with said die member for forming a strip intosubstantially U-shape, movable means for folding one vertical portion ofsaid strip into parallel face-to-face contacting relation with thehorizontal portion thereof, and a channeled stationary guide membercooperating with the feed means for folding the other vertical portionof the strip into parallel relation with the other two portions of thestrip.

16. A strip feeding and folding machine of the character describedincluding means for forming a strip into substantially U-shape, meansfor forming the opposite ends of the strip into parallel relation withthe bight portion thereof, and means for disposing a retaining band inembracing relation to said folded strip, said last mentioned meanscomprising a banding head adapted to position a retaining band inoverlying relation to said folded strip, banding arms carried by saidhead, and means carried by said head for actuating said arms to disposesaid band in embracing relation about said strip.

17. In an apparatus of the character described, means for folding aportion of a strip upon itself, and means for disposing a retaining bandin embracing relation to said folded strip, said last mentioned meanscomprising a banding head adapted to position a retaining band relativeto said strip, pivoted banding arms carried by said head, and actuatingmeans borne by said head whereby said arms are rotated toward each otherto dispose said retaining band in embracing relation about said foldedstrip.

18. A strip feeding and folding machine of the character describedincluding means for folding a strip, means for feeding the strip to saidfolding means, mechanism for securing the strip in folded position,means for feeding the folded strip to said securing mechanism. saidsecuring mechanism including a banding head, vacuum means supplied tosaid head for causing adherence of a retaining band thereon and forsubsequently positioning said band above said folded strip, means formoving the banding head and band into engagement with said folded strip,and means carried by the head for forming said band into embracingrelation with the folded strip.

19. A blank feeding and folding apparatus of the character describedincluding means for folding a portion of a blank about itself, a bandinghead for positioning a thereby-carried retaining band about said foldedblank, a carrier for positioning said folded blank beneath said bandinghead, means for moving said banding head and band into engagement w thsaid blank, and pivoted arms borne by said head whereby upon actuationthereof said band may be formed into embracing relation with said blank.

20. A blank feeding and folding apparatus of the character describedincluding means for folding a portion of a blank about itself, a bandinghead. for positioning a thereby-carried retaining band about said foldedblank, pivoted banding arms carried by said head, a carrier forpositioning said folded blank beneath said banding head, means forlowering said banding head and band into contacting relation with saidblank,

said band being deposited on said blank in a hori- .1

zontal plane with its opposite ends extending beyond said blank, meansfor further lowering a portion of said head and banding arms to disposethe free ends of said band in depending vertical positions, and meansfor rotating said banding arms towardeach other to dispose said ends ofthe band in parallel relation with the under side of said blank.

21. A blank feeding and folding apparatus of the character describedincluding means for folding a portion of a blank about itself, a bandinghead for positioning a retaining band about said folded blank, pivotedbanding arms mounted on shafts journaled in said head, gears carried bysaid shafts and meshing with a rack supported by said head, means forlowering said head and band into engagement with said blank, means forfurther lowering said banding arms below the plane of said blank, andmeans for actuating said rack for rotating said arms toward each otherfor forcing said band into embracing relation with said blank.

22. A blank feeding and folding machine of the character describedincluding means for folding a portion of a blank about itself, a bandinghead for positioning a thereby-carried retaining band about said foldedblank, a carrier for positioning said folded blank beneath said ban-dinghead, means for moving said banding head and band into contactingrelation with said blank, pivoted arms borne by said head whereby uponactuation thereof said band may be formed into embracing relation withsaid blank, and means for returning said head and actuating said arms toassume inoperative position for effecting release of the banded blankfrom the banding head.

23. In an apparatus of the character described, means for folding aportion of a strip about itself, means for disposing a retaining band inembracing relation to said folded strip, said last mentioned means beingsupported by a rotating table, and means for intermittently rotatingsaid table to position said banding means to receive the folded strip asit is transferred thereto from said folding means.

transferring a blank from said folding means to one of said bandingheads, and means for intermittently rotating said turntable tosuccessively position a banding head in registering relation with saidtransfer means for receiving a folded blank.

25. A blank feeding and folding apparatus of the character describedincluding means for folding a portion of a blank about itself, means forsecuring said blank in folded relation consisting of a plurality ofbanding heads supported on a turntable for disposing a retaining bandabout said folded portion, means for transferring a blank from saidfolding meansto one of said banding heads, means for intermittentlyrotating said turntable to successively position a banding head inregistering relation with said transfer means for receiving a foldedblank, and,

heads during rotation of said turntable and prior to reaching saidtransfer means. 7

26. In an apparatus of the character described, means for folding aportion of a blank about itself, a plurality of banding heads carried byand vertically movable on an intermittently rotated turntable forpositioning a retaining band about each of the folded blanks as thelatter are folded, a carrier for positioning the successively foldedblanks beneath successively presented banding heads, means for movingeach of said banding heads and thereby-carried retaining band intoengagement with a folded blank when presented thereto by the carrier,banding means borne by each of said heads whereby upon actuation thereofsaid band and banding means are brought into embracing relation with thefolded blank. I

27. In an apparatus of the character described, means for folding aportion of a blank about itself, a plurality of banding heads carried byand vertically movable on an intermittently rotated turntable forpositioning a retaining band about each of the folded blanks as thelatter are folded, a carrier for positioning the successively foldedblanks beneath successively presented banding heads, means for movingeach of said banding heads and thereby-carried retaining band intoengagement with a folded blank when presented thereto by the carrier,banding means borne by each of said heads whereby upon actuation thereofsaid band-and banding means are brought into embracing relation with thefolded blank, and means for retaining said banding means in embracingrelation to said blank during a predetermined period of continuedrotation of said turntable.

28. In an apparatus of the character described, means for folding aportion of a blank about itself, a plurality of banding heads carried byand vertically movable on an intermittently rotated turntable forpositioning a retaining band about each of the folded blanks as thelatter are folded, a carrier for positioning the successively foldedblanks beneath successively presented banding heads, means for movingeach of said banding heads and thereby-carried retaining band intoengagement with a folded blank when presented thereto by the carrier,banding means borne by each of said heads whereby upon actuation thereofsaid band and banding means are brought into embracing relationwlth. thefolded blank,

means for retaining said banding means in embracing relation to saidblank during a predetermined period of continued rotation of saidturntable, and means for returning said head and banding means toinoperative position for effectiiiigelease of the banded blank from thebanding 29. In an apparatus of the character described, means forfolding a portion of a blank about itself, a plurality, of banding headscarried by and vertically movable on a rotating turntable forpositioning a retaining band about each of the folded blanks as thelatter are folded, a

reciprocating carrier for positioning the succes-- sively folded blanksbeneath successively presented banding heads, means for moving each ofsaid banding heads and thereby-carried retaining band into engagementwith a folded blank when presented thereto by the carrier, pivotedbanding means borne by each of said heads whereby upon actuation thereofsaid band;

is brought into embracing relation with the folded blank, means forinterrupting rotation of the turntable and means for interruptingreciprocation of the carrier during banding of the blank.

30. A strip folding and feeding machine of the character describedincluding a vertically reciprocable die member, a feed wheel havingspaced plane surfaces beneath and cooperating with said die member forforming a strip into substantially U-shape, means between said diemember and wheel for folding one end of the strip into parallelface-to-face contacting relation with the bight portion thereof, meansfor folding the other end of the strip into parallel contacting relationwith said previously folded portion of the strip, and radial extendingpassageways provided in said feed wheel terminating at the planesurfaces thereof whereby the strip may be caused to adhere to said wheelupon the introduction of suction force through said passageways.

31. A strip feeding and folding machine of the character describedincluding a vertically reciprocable die member, a feed wheel havingspaced plane surfaces of shallow depth formed integrally with said wheelcooperating with said die member for forming a strip into substantiallyU- shape, means between said die member and wheel for folding one end ofthe strip into parallel faceto-face contacting relation with the bightportion thereof, and means for folding the other end of. the strip intoparallel relation with said previously folded portion of the strip.

32. A strip feedingand folding machine of the character describedincluding a vertically re'ciprocable die member, a feed wheel beneathand.

cooperating with said die member for forming a strip into substantiallyU-shape, means between said die member and wheel for folding one end ofthe strip into face-to-face contacting relation with the bight portionthereof, and means for folding the other end of the strip into parallelrelation with said previously folded portion of the strip, and means fordisposing a retaining band in embracing relation to said folded stripfor maintaining the same in folded relation.

33. A strip feeding and folding machineof the character describedincluding a table having an opening therethrough, a stripreceivinghopper above said table, means for removing a strip from said hopper anddepositing the same upon the table, means for advancing a strip alongsaid table and into position over said opening, a reciprocating diealigned with said opening and adapted for movement therethrough, a feedwheel beneath said opening adapted to cooperate with said die member toform the strip into substantially U-shape, means between said die memberand wheel for folding one end of the strip into parallel contactingrelation with the bight portion thereof, and means for folding the otherend of the strip into parallel relation withsaid previously foldedportion of the strip.

34. A strip feeding and folding machine of the character describedincluding a table having an opening therethrough, means for positioninga strip upon the table overlying said opening, a reciprocating diealigned with said opening and adapted for movement therethrough, a feedwheel beneath said opening adapted to cooperate with said die member toform the strip into substantially U-shape, means supported from saidtable for folding one end of the strip into parallel contacting relationwith the bight portion thereof, and means for folding the other end ofthe strip into parallel relation with said previously folded portion of.the strip.

35. A strip feeding and folding machine of the character describedincluding a table having an opening therethrough, a reciprocable diemem-- ber aligned with said opening and adapted for reciprocablemovement therethrough for forming a strip into substantially U-shape, afeed wheel beneath said die member and cooperating with the latter forforming said strip, means supported from said table between said diemember and wheel for folding one end of the strip into face-to-facecontacting relation with the bight portion thereof, and means forfolding the opposite end of the strip into parallel relation with saidpreviously folded portion of the strip.

36. A strip feeding and folding machine of the character describedincluding a reciprocable die member for forming a strip intosubstantially U shape, a feed wheel having peripheral serrationsoooperating'with said die for forming said strip, means between said'die member and wheel for folding one end of the strip into face-to-facecontacting relation with the bight portion thereof, and means forfolding the other end of the strip into parallel relation with saidpreviously folded portion of the strip.

' ALVIN-A. MASSINI.

